Deadly clashes, JAAC crackdown and calls for reform: Why PoK is on the boil

Tensions have reached a boiling point in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) as over 1.5 lakh residents marched across the territory, defying a stringent crackdown by Pakistani authorities. This large-scale demonstration followed a brutal crackdown on June 8, which reportedly left 11 civilians dead and over 100 injured. The protests, organized by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have drawn significant attention due to their scale and intensity, marking one of the most substantial challenges to Islamabad’s authority in the region in recent years. The JAAC, a coalition of civil society groups, had been banned by the Pakistani government just days prior, yet its members continue to lead the movement, demanding better governance, economic relief, and political representation.

The unrest began earlier in June when rising electricity and wheat prices triggered initial protests. These demonstrations quickly evolved into broader calls for systemic change, particularly concerning the structure of the PoJK Legislative Assembly. The JAAC has specifically targeted the 12 seats allocated to refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947, arguing that these seats have enabled major political parties to exert undue influence on governance in Muzaffarabad. As the movement gained traction, tensions escalated, culminating in violent confrontations between protesters and security forces in Rawalakot and surrounding areas.

Pakistani authorities responded aggressively, announcing a reward of 10 million rupees for information leading to the arrest of four prominent JAAC leaders—Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Mehran Arshad Khawaja, and Sardar Aman. Sedition charges were filed against them, and authorities blocked major roads to prevent the planned march toward Muzaffarabad. Despite these efforts, protesters managed to gather in multiple towns, including Rawalakot, Bagh, Hattian Bala, Kotli, Mirpur, Sudhnoti, Dhirkot, Dadyal, and Muzaffarabad. Demonstrators carried banners and wooden sticks, chanting slogans for improved healthcare, food security, employment opportunities, and basic rights.

The situation has drawn international attention, with the Indian government condemning the violence as a “massacre” and urging the global community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions in POK. India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed hope that the international community would address Pakistan’s alleged violations of fundamental rights in the region. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) warned that the suppression of such movements threatens to erode democratic space within the country.

In response to the escalating crisis, PoK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has called for dialogue, emphasizing that constitutional changes must be addressed through legal processes rather than protests. His appeals have been echoed by some segments of the international community, including British lawmakers who have urged the UK government to take diplomatic action. Protests have also spilled beyond POK, with the Kashmiri diaspora staging demonstrations outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford, UK, highlighting the growing discontent among the wider Kashmiri community abroad.

As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on whether the Pakistani government will adopt a more conciliatory approach or maintain its hardline stance. The JAAC’s ability to organize further protests and sustain pressure on Islamabad will likely determine the trajectory of the conflict. With the international community increasingly vocal about the situation, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping how the crisis is resolved.